Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Car Accident Attorneys Advising Victims in Port St. Lucie and Beyond

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or CRPS, is a form of chronic pain that may develop as a result of another injury. Victims who suffer from CRPS often face a lifetime of severe pain, since when symptoms progress, the condition is irreversible. When CRPS is caused by a car accident, victims may seek legal remedies in order to receive compensation from someone responsible for their harm. The Port St. Lucie car accident lawyers at Donaldson & Weston help victims with seeking these remedies, making sure that their legal claims cover not only their original injuries but also those that develop later as a result. CRPS may be difficult to diagnose and even harder to track back to its root. However, our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with such issues on behalf of our clients, ensuring that all of their injuries are properly taken into account following a serious crash. If you are suffering from CRPS due to injuries sustained in a collision, contact our office today to find out more about your legal options.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Causes and Symptoms

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome usually develops following an injury and results in increased pain disproportionate to that of the initial injury. CRPS may occur due to an injury that affects a limb, such as a broken leg, but it may subsequently spread to additional areas. Most often, the chronic pain associated with CRPS affects a victim’s arm or leg. People suffering from CRPS may not know it right away, but some common symptoms to note that may indicate its development include:

Continuing burning or throbbing pain in a victim’s arm, hand, leg, or foot

Cold sensitivity

Swelling in the affected area

Skin temperature changes, both hot and cold

Changes in skin’s color, which may vary from white to red or blue

Texture changes in a victim’s skin

Abnormal hair or nail growth

Stiffness of joints

Muscle spasms

Decreased mobility of the limb

The symptoms for each person change over time, and they are not the same for any one sufferer. Pain associated with CRPS may be heightened if a victim is also undergoing emotional issues. Treatment for CRPS is most effective when it is in the early stages of development, so people who think that they may be suffering should seek medical attention as soon as symptoms are observed. However, sometimes the progression of CRPS cannot be cured.

Liability for Car Accident Injuries Leading to CRPS

When a victim suffers from CRPS following an automobile accident, they generally can recover damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver. To show negligence, it must be proven that the defendant-driver owed the victim a duty of reasonable care, the driver breached this duty, and the breach was a proximate cause of the victim’s injury, resulting in damages.

The most difficult part of a CRPS-related claim often is showing causation. Since the cause of the condition is not clearly known or understood, proving that it stemmed from an injury triggered by a negligent driver may be more complicated than showing causation in situations involving other, more direct injuries. A knowledgeable attorney who can collect and interpret the appropriate evidence to show this link may be vital to ensuring a successful outcome. If liability is shown, a victim may be compensated for past and future medical costs, lost income and earning ability, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Seek Dedicated Legal Representation from Our Port St. Lucie Attorneys

CRPS is known as one of the most painful chronic disorders. With that pain often come a multitude of doctor visits, treatment trials, and the costs associated with them. The Port St. Lucie lawyers at Donaldson & Weston are dedicated to making sure that victims receive financial assistance for these costs from those responsible for causing their pain. Our firm represents people across Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach Counties, including in Stuart, West Palm Beach, and Jupiter. If you need legal advice after being hurt in a car accident, call our motor vehicle collision lawyers today at (772) 266-5555 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost, risk-free appointment.

The attorneys at Donaldson & Weston helped me get an amazing result on my case. Obviously I’ve been through a lot physically but I feel better now and the money really helped my family. When I was riding my bicycle I was hit by a truck that wasn't paying attention. I am not the suing type, but I would definitely hire this firm again. - M.P.

★★★★★

After my accident, i felt like I was being pulled in a bunch of different directions. I really didn't know what to do and all I wanted was someone to shoot me straight. The lawyers at the firm were so honest and definitely pointed me in the right direction. The staff was professional. I think it’s great that only attorneys work on my case, it definitely made me feel comfortable - D.L.

★★★★★

After my accident happened I waited to hear back from the insurance company for about 6 months. I just felt like they kept jerking me around. They even told me not to hire an attorney because it would mean less money in my pocket. I couldn't wait any longer because my bills were out of hand. I hired this firm and they were solid. I got a great result without having to go to court. - S.C.

We serve the following localities: St. Lucie County including Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie; Martin County including Jensen Beach, Palm City, and Stuart; and Palm Beach County including Belle Glade, Boynton Beach, Greenacres, Jupiter, Lake Worth, Loxahatchee, Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, and West Palm Beach.